Transparency is a major factor driving education and trust in modern animal agriculture. There is no better way to address this than with personal relationships, two-way dialogue and first-hand visits to a farm. However, there are time, logistics, biosecurity and budgetary challenges associated with on-farm visits. The Ohio Pork Council and its sister associations in other states, turned to Shiftology to help utilize modern technology to deliver a field trip experience to classrooms and build relationships with tomorrow’s consumers.

Leveraging technology, easing the burden on the client and eliminating logistical costs and biosecurity concerns, Shift•ology worked with the Ohio Pork Council to develop a comprehensive and easy-to use Virtual Field Trip program that allows students a firsthand view inside a modern hog farm and to chat directly with a pig farmer using live video chat platforms.

The Virtual Field Trip to a Pig Farm program receives universally high marks from teachers, has expanded to other states and garnered nationwide interest leading to further potential expansion throughout and beyond the pork industry. Between 5,000 and 10,000 students have participated in a virtual field trip through spring 2017, with YouTube views of recorded visits in the thousands. The program has also received extensive national agriculture media coverage through outlets such as Successful Farming and RFD-TV, among many more.